Vending-machine.



A. D. GROVER & E. E. BARBER.

VENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED ams. 1911.

Patented Apr. 15, 1919.

2 $HEETS-SHEET I.

Fig.1-

INVENTCI 5- F bdr/j. Gra /er 1n: mums FEnns CO, VHD'ID-LITND. wAsummaN, n. c.

j A. D. GROVER 61 E. E. BARBER.

VENDING MACHINE. A PPLICATION FILED 020.15. 19h.

Patgnted Apr. 15, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Mal/ B5 0 -43 m r. .Tfirw m r WIT/#55555. W

UNITE STATE PA EN i ALBERT 1). GBOVER, 0F iJrA Dn-it Am) EA 'E. Brianna OF: Bos'lON, MAssAonUsET rs,

; TION OF NEW YORK.

assieifons, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'ronn'rosntns 'eoaronariofi; A" eo'rtronn-j I V VENDING-MACHINE.

l Specification of Letters I atent. i P' t td v ix ls 1919 Appiicationiffi leo. Depember 15,131 1; If Serial 115. 663,095;

To all whom it ma y eoacem: v b Be it knovvn thatw've, AL ERT D. GRovER and EARL EJBAR E c tizens of theUnited- States, and residing, respectively, at Malden,

county of Middlesex, State ot Massael a; setts, and Bostonyco'unty ofjSufiollg state of I Massachusetts, have invented' certa n new; 51,-: chines, of Which thefollowingis a speeifrQ- 1 and useful Improvements nrVending-M tion. .v

Our invention relates to vending machines adapted to be operated'upon the; deposition 7 of a coin for the delivery of a sultablecom modity, and has for its general object the provision of a machinevv'hieh is partife'ularly" adapted to deliverjflat articles -suelias en velops, foldable drinking clips and the like;

The flat articles (Whioh'for'the salient illus tration Will hereinafter bereferred to has drinking-pups) are arranged fina vertical stack in the magazine of the machine, s'othat a largefnumber can be a'ecommodatedin a comparatively small spaciell This gives a machine of maximnmgc'apa'elty with m1ni-" mum dimensions. A mac'hlne of'on'r con-e struction, less than twelve inehes high, can

be charged with several hundred drinking cups. Our machine is thnswelladaplted for use in places 'Wh'ere'hnt little, spaceis availableas, for instance in the washrooms on Pullman cars.

a vending machine having a slidalole ejector movable over the bottom otthefmagazine and adapted to engagethe lowerinostveup or f envelop atthe edge of its underside and thereby draw the same outiof the magazine 5 through the delivery-opening of the} ma of engagementivviththe enp clnringltlie ejeet- ""ing movement. a g A further object of our invention qconsists' v in providing adjustable means at the bottom of the magazine for normally supporting the-forward. end pr the-lowermost article;

above the delivery openingythearrangement being such that the Operation of the eje etoi' causes automat c lowering of sa d "snpport v ing'means to bring the forWard'endofthe throngli-the deliverylopeningby' theejeetorh The idea of this. djustable support mayfbe mechanically 'earrieid out. ina niimhef-of the same, so as to insure the 'al'inement otthef e a I b er pauses an increased or One object of our lllVGIltlOIllS to provide mechanism rendered be ren er 7 for thefsakeiof illiiitration iirgthe a'ccom,

v lowermost article intoaline rnentitvith thetde- H livery opening; Bymeansiotthis adjustable, v

snpp'orttheafraudulent,jvvithdrawal er arti- I eles from the magazin jby' means'ot Har pointed Wire e'te.,fis positively; prevented. At the s' time time the automatic: ustment of the support when the ejector 1 is operated,

permits the ready xlelivery of the articles Ways, and We do-net Wish to 'be limited to the precise formshovvn for the sake of inns-1;

tration in the laoeolripanyingjdrawgings. A further ObIjBCt pfour in ention is to pro'vide a ti eightadaptedltofres {loosely on:

the staekot vendahle artieles -fof exerting a; downward pressure';at}.the forward end oi lowermost artiele at its forward end wlth' t h j,

delivery opening in "the machine; This weight also eooperatesfvvithTthe ejector to prevent operation 01 the latter When the ma I chine is'empty. 'f I A further olojeet I of our *inventionisftof provide, operating Connections 'ibetiveen' "the' V ej'e'etor and a hand operated pro-1 jeeting outside or theY casing, whereby short movement of the frana p mtea; menig 4 mu t ediwe mentlof the ejector.

A-iurtherrob'eetjoflonr invention is provide a; vending ihabliine :in vvhieh the op: e n r s are sl ppelft i y remi ii" e a ing'. T'othe fl pper. endl' of this jeasti'ngfis' se f i cured theinagazine ocoiitailiin gkthejartielesg'j" While troin the-"lowerj'portion thereof is 're-[ 7 a movably suspended ai'c'oin reeep'taele v'hieh 1 1 performs th'e double -innction of reejeiving efio thetdepos-itedcoins and 'iiielosing thefopera-Tj tit e parts arrangedbelevv the niaih'easting;

A further obj eet; qfg ur -inventionflioonsists' a 111" lOCl111g the om reeeptaelein Pla I j e a able the tep or the m provide a vending ma'ehine eitneein cap; j: I j trollede eetor mechanism avhloh may atwill f 11' of a dam; Inthe'specifie eonstructionfslioivn;

ed operablejivithont the rileposition' 195 J that it may be controlled in other ways. The importance and advantages residing in this feature of our invention will be explained later on.

The above and other objects and advan tages of our invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a sectional bottom plan view of a machine embodying our invention, the section being taken substantially on the broken line 1-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 22* of Fig. 1, a portion of the magazine being broken away for economy of space on the drawing sheet, this figure showing the parts of the operatingmechanism in normal or unoperated position Fig; 3 shows a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2,the weight and cup being omitted for the sake of clearness; and

F igg l is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2,- showing the parts of the operating mechanism in operated position.

The different parts which go to make up the operating mechanism of the machine are carried by the main casting indicated as a Whole by A. When we refer to the part A asa casting, we'do not mean that it is necessarily a piece of cast metal, but we use the term castin for convenience. While the part A is preferably made of cast metal, it may be formed of sheet metal or other material. The casting A comprises a body portion 1 which terminates at the front in a rounded platform 2. The body portion 1 is provided with upwardly-extending side flanges 3 and rear flange 1, between which the magazine 5 is rigidly secured by means of rivets, screws or pins 6, one of which is shown in Fig. 2. The magazine 5 is pref- I erably made of sheet metal and is of proper size to accommdoate the vendible articles in a vertical stack.- In Fig. 3 the flat cups o1-v envelops are indicated in dotted outline at B. The front wall of the magazine is cut away at the bottom at 7 to form the delivery opening through whichthe cups are ejected. A suitable guard strip 8 is preferably provided in front ofthe delivery opening to prevent the ready insertion of instruments into the magazine, as well as to add to the finished appearance of the machine. In theparticular construction shown in the drawings, the strip 8 is substantially L-shaped in cross-section and is secured to the front wall of the magazine 5. The transverse ridge 9 of the castin A forms the bottom of the delivery-slot The operating mechanism of our new machine includes an ejector 10 arranged at the bottom of the magazine. This ejector lies flat upon the main casting and isfadapted. to slide back and forth between a pairof longitudinal guide flanges 11 formed onthe' body portion 1 of the casting A, which really forms the bottom of the magazine. The rear end of the ejector 10 is provided with lateral wings or extensions 12 which ride over the guide flanges or rails 11 during the movemlent of the ejector. The extensions 12 might thus be said to support the ejector on the rails 11. The ejector is at its rear end provided with an up-Wa1'dlyextending lug 13 by means of which the cups are ejected from the magazine, as will presently be explained.

To the underside of the main casting A is secured a frame indicated as a whole by C, by means of screws 14, or other suitable fastening devices. The frame C is provided with a pair of rearwardly-extending portions 15 and 16, between which the coinslide 17 is movably mounted. The frame (3 is sufliciently spaced from the main casting A, as indicated by 18 to provide free and easy movement for the coin-slide 17. The coin-slide 17 is at its rear end rigidly secured to the ejector 10 by means of screws 19 or other suitable fastening devices. A guide block 20 is inserted between the ejector and the coin-slide to guide the movement of the parts, the guide-block working in the longitudinal slot 21 formed in the bottom 1 of the magazine. The coin-slide 17 is on its underside provided with a pair of spaced lugs 22 which carry the pin 23. To this pin is connected the forward end of the link 24 which is at the rear pivotally connected to the upper end of the arm 25 by means of a pin' 26. The lower end of the arm 25' is pivotally connected with the lower end of the bracket 27 by means of a pin or bolt 28. The bracket 27 depends from the under face of the main casting and is rigidly secured thereto in any suitable way. A push rod 29 is at its rear end pivotally connected with the arm 25 at a point 30' substantially midway of the latter. By means of this simple connection between the coin-slide and the push rod the movement of the latter is multiplied. Assuming the point of connection 30 between the push rod 29 and the arm 25 to be midway between the points 26 and 28, the stroke or movement of the ejector 10 is double that of the push rod 29. The push rod need therefore extend only a short distance outside of the casing. In the construction shown in the drawing, the push rod 29 does not project beyond the rounded shelf 2 of the main casting. This prevents the projecting portion of the push rod from becoming an obstruction or unsightly protrusion. The forward end of the push rod 29 is supported in the bracket 31 which projects downwardly from the frame C. The bracket 31 is provided with an opening for receiving the push rod.

The extension 15 of the frame C is provided with a downwardly projecting bearing lug 32 which supports one end of the mans and shaft 33. Theother: end of this shaft is non-rotatably supported the downwardly extending flange34 provided onthe exten-- sion 16 of the frame (1'. The shafta33 is pro vided with a flattened'portion 35 which works in a vertical slot (not. shown) in the; bearing fiange34. Theobject of this eon-1. nection between the shaft 33 and the bearing flange 34 is to hold the shaftzagainst rotation andat the same'tirne permit that endof the shaft to move vertically. for purpose'to be presentlyf explained. On. the} shaft 33 is rotatably nounted 'a sleeve 36 which carries at, its. outer end a sprocket wheel 37 and at its inner end thecoinetest;

ing arm 38." The free or outer end :ofthe arm 38 is so shaped as'to form points 39 rand 40 which are adaptedeto'enga'ge the d'eposited coin and test the same. This coin-testing device does not iniand of itself form av part of ourpresent 1nvent1on, 1t being the subject matter of Patent No. 625,123,

granted May 16, 1899'to J. G. WffRoinans and A. D. Grover as their joint invention As we have shown the inachinein the ac comr panying drawings equipped with this ltorover coin-testing device,j.we will describe the same for the sake ofgiving a. complete description of what the drawings show. a The sprocket wheel 37? is arranged to engagewith the-teeth 41' formed, at one edge of the coin-slide, 17,. as best:

shownin Fig. 1. Whenever, therefore, the

coin-slide isoperated, the sleeve 36 is rotated together with the coin-testing arm 38. A locking dog 42 is at43 pivoted to the flange 34. The rear end-of the lockingdog 42 is provided with aJhookedportion 44 which normally lies in the path of move ment of the lug 45 extending laterally froin v the ooin-slide 17. A suitablyarranget spring holds the locking dog 42 in the path of the lug- 45. As shown in Fig: 1, the lug 45 is normally at some distance, in fr'ontof the hooked portion 44 ofthe locking dog',1so" j that the coin-slide is normally free tomove 5 inwardly until the lateral lug'45' engages'the locking dog, Although the ejector l0 i'sfal ways operated during the free rnovementiof I the coin-slide, as just-deseribed, {this moveh Inent of the ejector iswhat may properlj ibe termed fan inoperative or ineflectivej movement. b a e the ejector I'i S not .moved' i back sufliciently to (cause; the upright lug to engage the underedge of the 'lowermost cup. Whenever, therefore, we have occasion in this specification to speak of. the operation of the ejector, ,wedo not refer to the inefiective movement which may. ,be imparted to itby the normallyfreelln ovement of the coin-slide. The {purpose of; this normally free movement of. .theparts is to give the coi'n testing devieeachanc e to testthe deposited coin. Although the operation of thisdevice is fully described the Romans and Grover patent iabove mentioned, ;the

same-may herebe briefly described as jfollows iIn the normalposition or the difien; ent parts "which go to makeup the operating mechanismotour machin'e,"the coin slot 46 I pr'ovided at the forwardendof the coin-'1 I slide '17 is in 'alinementwith the entrance 7 slot 47 in the rounded shelf 2 of the 'maincasting A. Normally, the coin-testing ar1n 38' occupies substantially the. position shown in Fig- 2, The dejaosited coin, substantially alongiby the slide 17. At the same timelthe filling the slot 46; rests on theforwardflextension; 48. of 'the'f-rame C. As the rod. -29 g then pushed inwardly, the coinis carried testing arm. .38 isrockefdupwardly and the; movement oflthe parts is so timedthat the point139 of thepoinQtesting arin v againsttheuin'ner shoulder of the raised edge of the coing." This temporary. .piv

otalconneetion bet'ween the coin and the, arm 38 iforces the shaft 33 downwardly.

"As jthe doWawardl moving I end, of the shaft, 33' bears against..the locking ,dog i 142, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the

hooked end 44;.of the locking dogv 42 is 'folf'ced downwardly out of the path of move- 1 mentof the later-aldug 45 provided 'onthe coin-slide 17. vAsthe rod 29' is pushed in farther, the point40of the coin-testing arm.

.38 bearsagainst theundersurface of the coin after the poin 39 has passed out of engage 42 in depressed or-releasing positionuntil the lateral shoulder 49j0n .the coin-slide 17 has. passed the free end of the locking dog, Should the de'positedxcheck be a washer, the

point 4001f the coin te'sting arni-w ould enteiinto the opening of the washer after the point 39 had passed outof engagement with the edge of the washer,,whereby the locking dog 42 would rise into locking position to i engage with theffsholl'lder 49, This would lock'the'coin-slide against further movement b v t ll) I here shown and described thecoin-testing It -w -ill oflcourse be understood. that welha v ment therewith. This holds the locking. dog

device; of...t he Romans and 'Grover. patent! merely for the sakeoffillustratioii, and that so i fanasQthevarious ieat'ilres of our inven tion are concerned, any suitable coin-testing i 'devlce' maybe employed p'rovlded of, course that 'itdoes not'interferewith theproper'op eration of the other parts of the machine.

; VWe; wilhnow describe the ejectionofthe articles ejector 10. As previously stated, we will assume that the articlesto be vended are fiat cu-ps designated B. These.

of the envelops is immaterial as long as thefree end of one face extends beyond the free end of the other face at the opening or I mouth of the envelop. These envelops or flat cups are placed in the magazine of the machine with the mouth downward''that is to say, the, side which terminates at the edge 51 is the underside. The shape of the magazine 5 is such that the envelops are held in a vertical stack without danger of disarrangement due to j olting or otherwise. In order to prevent the fraudulent extraction of cups from the machine by the insertion of a sharp instrument, we have invented means by which the stack of cups is normally held in such a position that the lowermost cup is above'the delivery-slot and therefore beyond reach of any instrument which may be inserted into the machine through the delivery-opening. At the same time we have made provision for the automatlc adjustment of said means during the operation of the ejector mechanism to insure the delivery of the articles when the machine 1s operated after the deposition of a proper coin. This feature of our invention may be carried out mechanically in difierent ways,

i. but we have in the drawings shown a specific embodiment thereof which we prefer on account of its simplicity and effectiveness of operation. In the specific construction shown in the drawings, the adjustable support for the stack of cups consists of a piece of U-shaped wire having legs or shanks 52 and a transverse connecting portion 53 at the forward end. The free ends of the shank members 52 pass through openings 5% in the main casting A and terminate in extensions 55 at the underside of said casting. In this way the'rear end of the U- shapedsupport is pivotally connected WItlI the main casting. As best seen from Fig. 3, the ejector 10 works'between the shank mem- V bers 52 of theadjustable support. A trans verse wire 56 carried by the forward end of the ejector normally holds the forward end of the support above the .dehvery-opemng I 7, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. For the sake of clearness' only one cup has been shown in Figs. 2 and 41, but it will be readily understood that any number of cups may be piled ontop of each other. Disregarding for the moment the weight WV which rests loosely on the stack of articles and to which specific reference will presently be made, it will be seen from Fig. 2 that normally the lowermost article (which is the article in position to be ejected)-is at its forward end. sup ported on. the forward end of the U-shaped wire support. The latter is in turn held elevated at its forward end by the cross wire 56 on the ejector 10. In this position of the parts, the forward end of the lowermost cup is above the delivery-slot 7 and is utterly beyond reach of any instrument which may be inserted into the machine for the extraction of the cup. The shank members 52 are provided with upwardly displaced portions 57. As the ejector travels inwardly from its normal position, the cross wire 56 will come opposite the displaced portions 57 and enter the recesses formed by these portions. As soon as the cross wire 56 enters these recesses the forward end of the U- shaped support drops on to the plate 1 of the main casting behind the transverse ridge 9, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. This brings the forward end of the lowermost cup into alinement with the delivery-slot 7. When the ejector 10 has reached the limit of its rearward movement, the upstanding lug 13 at the rear end thereof has passed beyond the free edge 51 of the underside of the cup. Normally, the mouth of the cup is closed, as shown in Fig. 2. However, as soon as the lug 13 has passed beyond the edge 51, the flap portion of the upper side of the cup is forced upwardly, thus causing the cup to gap. This allows the lug 13 to secure a firm engagement with the cup at the underedge 51 as the ejector moves forwardly under the action of the restoring spring 58. Considering Fig. 4, it will be seen that as the ejector moves forwardlythat is to say to the left (as viewed in this figure)the lug 13 engages the underedge 51 at the center thereof and carries the cup forwardly through the delivery-opening 7. As soon as the cross wire 56 at the front end of the ejector 10 has passed out of engagement with the displaced portions 57, the forward end of the adjustable support for the articles is raised back into the position shown in Fig. 2. The ejector during its return movement causes enough of the cup to protrude through the delivery-slot that the protruding portion may easily be grasped by the fingers and the cup be thus extracted from the machine.

The fact that the adjustable support for the articles is moved upwardly into normal position, as the ejector reaches the end of its ejecting movement, does not interfere with the ready extraction of the cup by hand, because these cups are sufiiciently flexible to permit their extraction without mutilation. Furthermore, it should be noted in this connection that the engagement between the ejector and the cup to be ejected is not only positive, as distinguished from a mere frictional engagement, but it prevents injury to the cup by the engaging portion of the ejector. This entirely obviates the objections inherent in those ejector devices which engage the articles by mere frictional contact, whereby delivery is rendered uncertain and the articles are frequently mutilated by the engaging portion of the delivery or eject ing mechanism. 7

It will be seen from the above .that. we

have provided extremely simple and efficient means for preventing the fraudulent extraction of the articles from the machine. The basic idea of adjustable means for normally holding the forward end of the article next to be-delivered out of alinement with the delivery-opening of the machine, and causing automatic adjustment of said means-to bring the forward end of the article engaged by the .ejector mechanism into alinement with the delivery-opening, may be mechanically embodied in different ways; from that shownin the drawings. These embodiments Y wouldstill fall within the scope of our invention as defined in certain of the appended claims. a

In order to insure the alinement of the lowermost articleat its forward end with the delivery-opening 7 when the adjustable supporting device is in lowered po sition, we have provided a weight W adapted to rest loosely on the stack of articles and so constructed as to exert a downward pressure on the forward end of the articles. Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, it will be observed that the weight W is at ,its forward .end

provided with a 'downwardly extend-ing clear from Fig. 4, and allows the-engaginglug 13 to secure a positive contact against the underedge 51 of the cup. The two trans verse projections 59 and 60 form a recess 61 to accommodate the slightly upward bulge of the cups due to the raised portions 57 of the adjustable support. The rear projection 60 on the weight W performs another important function and that is, the positive locking of the ejectonlO against full rear-p ward movement when the supply of cups in the magazine is exhausted. It will be readily understood from Figs. 2 and ithat when the ejector is pushedinwardlyafter the dep-' ositionof a proper coin when the magazine is empty, the upstanding lug. 13 will abut againstthe front shoulder .62 of the projec,' tion '60.. This arrests further operation of the machine, and upon -release ofthe. push rod 29 the coin in the slot 46015 the coin slide 17 is brought back into alinement with the entrance opening 47 through which it'- may be taken out by: the patron. The cut.

awayportion 63 on,,..thew forward extension 48 of the frameGpermitsa suitableinstru inent (such; as a knife blade or pomtofa pencil) to be thrust upwardly, by the patron] against the underside of the coin, whereby the forward. end of the latter may heraised out of theopeningf47 to begraspediby the fingers. The patron is thus insured of the return ofhis' coin, should he have attempted to. operate the machine, when the magazine was, empty. 7 f

In the op'eration of by the arm. 38. The casing 64 suspended from the main cast1ng'-A,' performs. the

The coins drop the magma upon'the deposition of a proper coin, the latter falls out of the coin-slot 46 after it has been tested double function oficoin box and housingfor those parts of the mechanism which project below the main castin j from the slot- 46 into t e-casing 64 which isf reniovably locked in position. Forthis purpose the .downwardly extending flange 65 at the rear of the main casting A is provided with a. pair of inwardly-extending pins 66 which are/adapted to enter'correspondingly-arranged openings the 4 rear wall of thecoin box or casing. 64.. 'At the through a correspondingly; arranged open+ ing 68 in the depending bracketarmfil of the frame" C. The push rod 29 pa sses f'front the coin box-is providedwith an ina wardly-extending pin'67 adapted to pass j through a correspondingly-arranged, open- 7 ing in the front wall ofthe "coin box 64; It

willfthus be clear thatthe casing or coin box 64 is suspended from the main casting by means of the pins 66 and 67. In the i absence of :any locking arrangement, the

box can be removed by simply slidingjt forward a littleuntil it is-clear of thepins end of the box will dropdownwardly belowslid ofif I'Odi g Inorder to prevent removal pf the coin. box by unauthorized persons, we. have provided a locking device for/the box, so ar ranged1and-constructd as to be accessible 66 and the opening'68, whereupon thereair i the bracket'a'nd the boxbe suspended .at .its forward end from the push rod 29. By a little manipulation the boxmay then be 110, the projecting portion of the push a only'when the top.or cover of the magazine.

is removed. This" top or cover is in-,=turn locked in place by means of alock towhich only the .auth orize d person has the. key. ,Re-

.ferringto -Figs. 2 and' i, it will'be seenthat a vertical rod69 is supported. in the maga-. zine 5' near 'one of the rear corners thereof. 'bymeans of a suitable bracket/70 secured to the inside of the magazine. The hori 'zontal arm of the brackethas an opening.

throughwhichfthe rod passes. The lateral fingenpiecej'il otjthe locking rod 69 rests upon the-bracket, so that the rod normally:

hangs in, locking position, with. the lowe rsj .of, and thereby. locks the box against sufficient movement. to clear the pins 66. The top. orcover 73 of the magazine 5 is selcurely locked in place in anysuitable way. In: the drawings. we have shown the cover 73"provided with a downwardlyextending flange 74 onall four sides, so that the cover "m y snugly fit over-the upper end of the imagaz'ine; The rear po'rtion of the flange 74: is provided with one or more pins" 75 which pass through; correspondingly-arranged openings 7 6 in the rear wall of the magazine. N'ear the front end the cover isfprovided with a suitable lock indicated as a whole by L and adapted to be operated '20 bya key. The locking bolt 77.0f the lock L is adapted to engage beneath the rearwardlv-extending lip 78 on, the front wall of the magazine. To ,remove the coin box 64, the top 73 must first be unlocked and removed, whereupon the locking rod 69 may be lifted until the fixed collar 79 thereon abuts against the bracket 70. This raising of the locking rod 69 moves the lower end 72 out of locking posit-ion, so that the coin box is now released and may be taken off the machine entirely or let down sufliciently at therear end for the removal of the coins.

As we have explained above in detail, the

ejector of our machine cannot be operated unless a proper coin is first deposited. Conditions, however, might arise in which it would be desirable or even necessary to 01)- state the machine without the deposition of a coin. For instance, if our machine is used on the cars of a railway train which runs in its course through several States, in all of which the use of public drinking cups on trains isprohibited by legislation, and in some of which States the railroad company is compelled to furnish patrons free of charge with individual drinking cups, our machine can be used to meet both conditions. That is to say, when the train passes through those States in which the company is not obliged to furnish patrons free with individualdrin'king cups, our machine may be so set as to operate only upon the deposition of a coin. However, as soon as the train enters a State in which the law requires the railroad company to provide the travelers with individual cups free of charge. our machine is capable of such adjustment that it maybe operated without the requirement of a coin. Considered in its broad aspect,

this feature of our invention by which the machine may be made to operate at will either with orwithout the deposition of a com, maybe carried out in a number of ways, one of which we have for the sake of illustration shown inthe accompanying drawings. A; belI-crankSO is at 81 pivoted to the extension 82 'on the flange '34 of'the frame C. The upwardly-extending rear shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The free end of the forwardl -extending arm of the bell-crank is arranged over the bolt84 of a suitable lock secured to the inside of the coin box 64. When the bolt 8ft of the lock 85 is in withdrawn position, the bell-crank 80does not in the least interfere with the operation ofthe machine upon the deposition 'ot'a c'oin,'as previously described in detail. The lug 83 of the bell-crank simply rests by gravity on the locking dog d2. When it is desired to operate the machine without the deposition of a coin, the bolt 84 is thrust upwardly by means of a key inserted in the lock 85. This upward movement of the bolt 84: throws the forward end of the bellcrank 80 upwardly and the rear end downwardly. As the lateral lug 83 lies over the locking dog 42, this rocking of the bellc 'ank by the bolt 84 throws the free end of the locking dog downwardly out of the path of movement of the lateral lug a5 and shoulder 49 on the coin-slide 17. The locking dog 42 being thus rocked into inoperative position, the ejector 10 is free to operate to the limit of its inward movement to eject the articles from the magazine, in exactly the same way as when the machine is operable only upon the deposition of a coin. To adjust the machine for operation with a coin only, it is but necessary to turn the key in the lock 85 to withdraw the bolt 84. If our machine be used on a train, the key to the lock 85 would be in the custody of the conductor or other oflicial. It should be noted that the lock 85 is for the sole purpose of setting the machine to operate with or without a coin, and has nothing to do with the locking or unlocking of the coin box itself. It will be understood that the means for adjusting the mechanism of the machine to permit its operation without or only upon the deposition of a coin, need not be necessarily key-controlled, although the use of a key makes the adjustment an extremely simple matter.

While we have herein shown and described a specific form of machine embodying the various features of novelty which characterize our invention, we would have it understood that we do not intend to be limited to the details of such specific form, as it is obvious that changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the scope of our invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, it is clear that some of the features of our invention may be embodied in a machine without the presence of other features.

Having thus describ'edour inventiomwhat w claim new and (leSlIe to secure loyrLet ters Patent oi the United Statesifis: 4

1. In a vendingmach ne'havlngamaga mine for containing a vertical stack of-flat,

flexible articles in whichthe upper side ex- I tends beyond the free edge of the underside to form a mouth or opening at the, said underside, the combination with a Slidable ejector adapted to engage the lowermost article at said free edge to e ectthesame from the magazine, said ejector normally engaging said upper entension ont-he fart1clej and pressing upwardly against the'same, of a weight adapted to rest on the stack ot'articles and provided on its underside with a rib or projection arranged to bear down upon the articles at a point near the month, whereby the mouth of the article is automatically caused to gap under the downward pressure of said rib and the upward pressure of said ejector.

In a vending machine having'a magazine for containing a vertical stack of flat, flexible articles in wlnchthe uppers de extends beyond thefree edgeof the underside to form a mouth or opening at'said underside, the combination with a slidable ejector having at its rear end an upstanding lug. adapted to engage the lowermost article at said free edge to eject the same from themagazine, said lug normally engaging said upper extension on the article presslng upwardly against the same, 'of a weight adapted to rest on thestack of artioles-landpro' vided on its underside with a rib or projection arranged to bear down upon the articles at a polnt near the mouth, whereby the mouth oi the article is automatically caused to gap under the downward pressure of said 7 rib and the upward pressure of said'lug.

3. In a vendmg machme having a maga zine for containing a vertical stackof flat," flexible articles inwhlch the upperside eX-I tends beyond the free edge of the underside,

to form a mouth or opening at said underside, the combinatlonwlth a slidable ejector havmg n'ieans to engage the lowermost art1- ole at said free edge to eject'the same from the magazine, said engaging means exerting upwardpressure against-said free edge of the article, of means adapted to exert downward pressure on the articlesat a point near the mouth whereby the mouth of the article" automatically caused toj gap underfsaid upward and downward pressure. 7 e V 4. In a vending machine, a magazine for containing the vendable articles in a vertical stack. said magazinebeing at its lower end,

provided with i a delivery-opening, adj-11stable means at-the bottom of said magazine: for normally supporting the forward end of the lowermost article above said deliveryp n ej t mec a sm ope ble to eject the articles through said delivery-opening,

ed to rest loosely on the. stack of vendablfe imeans' whereby the operation of said ejector 'mcchan1sm1 causes automatic lOWBIlIlg of said supporting means to bring the forward end of thelowermostjarticle into alinement with said delivery opening,a weight adaptarticles, and a1downwardlyfiextendingprojection atthe forward end of "said weight to exert" a downward pressure "on the fjolj ward end of the articles andthus insure the.

alinem ent ofthelowermost article at its tori" the lowermost article above said delivery? opening, ejector mechanism operable to eject the articles'through said delivery-opening,

means carried by said ejector mechanism to hold said ad ustable supporting means in its normal position, said means carried by the means to drop automaticallyduring the ,op-'

e'ratioii of said mechanism sufiiciently to i i 5 cle into alinement with said edeliveryeopenbring theforward end of the lowermost a'rti-f ing, a weight adapted to rest loosely on the stack of vendable articles, --and a downwardly extending proj ection at the forward end of said weight to exert a downward livery-opening, when said adjustable sup-i; porting means is in lowered position.

6.4In a vendmg machine, a magazine for containing thevendable articles in a vertical stack, said magazine being atits lower end provided with a deliveryopening, ad-,. justablemeans'at the-bottom of said magazine for'normally supporting the forward end of Y the lowermost artic'leabove said delivery-opening, a slid able ejector having 'Ineans at the rearend for engaging the lowermost article'toejectthe same through Vejectorin'echanism causing said supporting pressure on the forward end of, the articles and thus insure the alinementof thelowermostartlcle at its forward'end with'said desaid delivery-opening, means at the forward end of said ejector to hold esaidadjustable supporting means in its normal position I when the ejector is in unoperated position, i

said holding means on the ejector auto? matically. releasing'r 'sald adjustable sup porting means and allwing the same, to

drop when. the ejector operated, whereby the forward end of the lowermost article is brought intoalinem'entzwith the deliveryopening,] and p a weight adapted j to rest loosely on the stack-of articles and provided with f two 1 downwardly-extending ,projections, one: of these; projeetion'sbeing "at the front to exert a downward pressure on the forward end of the articles and thus insure the alinement of the lowermost article at its forward end with said delivery-opening when said adjustable supporting means is in lowered position, the other projection being arranged toward the rear to engage the ejector and prevent. operation thereof when the magazine is empty.

7. In a vending machine, a magazine for containing the vendable articles in a vertical stack, said magazine being at its lower end provided with a delivery-opening, a slidable ejector at the bottom of said magazine for ejecting the articles through said delivery opening, a U-shaped member pivoted at the free end of its shanks at the bottom of said magazine, the transverse forward end of said member being arranged in proximity to said delivery-opening to support the forward end ofsaid stack of articles, the shanks of said member extending on either side of said ejector and having intermediate offset portions which form recesses, and means carried by the ejector for engaging said shanks at one side of said offset portions to maintain the forward end of the lowermost article above said delivery-opening when the ejector is unoperated, said means 011 the'ejector engaging in said recesses when the ejector is operated, whereby said member rocks down to bring the forward end'of the lowermost article into alinement with the delivery-opening.

8. In a vending machine, a magazine for containing the vendable articles in a vertical stack, said magazine being at its lower end provided with a delivery-opening, a slidable ejector arranged at the bottom of said magazine and providedat its rear end with a lug for engaging the lowermost article" and ejecting the same through said delivery-opening, a U-shaped member formed of a piece of wire pivoted at the free end of its shanks at the bottom of said magazine,

the transverse forward end of said member being arranged in proximity to said delivery-opening to support the forward end of said stack of articles, the shanks of said member extending on either side of said ejector and having intermediate offset por-' tions which have recesses, and a transversewhereby said member rocks down to bring.

the forward end of the lowermost article into alinement with the delivery-opening.

9. In a vending machine, a magazine for containing the vendable articles in a vertlcal stack, said magazine being at its lower end provided with a delivery-opening, a

slidable ejector arranged at the bottom of said magazine and provided at its rear end with a lug for engaging the lowermost article and ejecting the same through said delivery-opening, a U-shaped member formed of a piece of wire pivoted at the free end of its shanks at the bottom of said magazine, the transverse forward end of said member being arranged in proximity to said delivery-opening to support the forward end of said stack of articles, the shanks of said member extending on either side of said ejector and having intermediate offset por-' tions which have recesses, a transverse rod carried by the ejector for engaging said shanks at one side of said offset portions to maintain the forward end of the lowermost article above said delivery-opening when the ejector is unoperated, the opposite ends of said transverse rod engaging in said reeesses when the ejector is operated, whereby said member rocks down to bring the forward end of the lowermost article into alinement with the delivery-opening, and a weight adapted to rest loosely on the stack of articles and provided with two downwardly-extending projections, one of these projections being at the front to exert a downward pressure on the forward end of the articles and thus insure the alinement of the lowermost article at its forward end with said delivery-opening when said adjustable supporting means is in lowered position, the other projection being arranged toward the rear to engage the lug on the ejector and prevent operation of the ejector when the magazine is empty.

10. In a vending machine having a magazine for containing a vertical stack of fiat flexible articles in which the upper side extends beyond the free edge of the underside to form a mouth or opening at said under side, the combination with a slidable ejector adapted to engage the lowermost article at said free edge to eject the same from the magazine, said ejector normally engaging said upper extension on the article and exerting an upward pressure against the same, of a weight provided with two downwardly extending projections, one of which bears down upon the article at the forward or delivery end thereof to insure its alinement with the delivery-opening of the magazine, the other of said projections bearing down upon the article near said free edge on the under side to cause the mouth of the article to gap automatically under the downward pressure of said last named projection and the upward pressure of said ejector.

11.111 a vending machine having a magazine for containing a vertical stack of fiat flexible articles in which the upper side extends beyond the free edge of the underside to form a mouth or opening at said underside, the combination with a slidable ejector upper extension on the article and pressing upwardly against the same, of a weight provided with two downwardly extending proj ections, one of which bears down upon the,

article at the forward or delivery end there of, to insure its ahnement with the dellvery opening or the n'iagazme, the other of said projections bearing down upon the article (at a point near the mouth thereof, to cause said mouth to gap automatically under the downward pressure of said last named projection and the upward pressure of said lug.

12. In a vending machine provided with" a magazine tor containing thin, fiexlble ar ticles in a vertical stack, a weight adapted to rest loosely upon the stack of articles, a down ardly extending transverse projection at the forward end of said weight, and a downwardly extending projection atthe rear end of said weight, whereby pressure is brought to bear upon the stack on two trans verse lines to permit flexing of the articles.

13. In a vending machine, a main casting, a closed outer casing secured to the upper portion of said casting and forming the] magazine in which the vendable articles are contained, the upper side of said casting constituting the bottom of said magazine, a deliveryopening formed in the front wall of said outer casing just above said casting, an ejector slidable overthe upper side of said casting to eject the articles through said opening, a slidable hand-operated member supported beneath said casting, an operative,

connection between said ejector and said member, and a second outer casing removably supported by and beneath said casting and having an opening in the front wall is operated:

tl11o1igl1v"liicl1 said hv lid-operated member pro ects. I i

l t, Ina vending machine, a maincasting, a closed outer casing securedito the upper portion of said casting and forming the magazine in which the vendable articlesare; contained, a delivery-opening formed in the front wall of said outer casing just above said casting,ejector mechanism carried by said casting to eiect the articles through said delivery-opening, and a second closed outer casing reinovably supported from said casting beneath the same.

15; In a vending machineprovided with a magazine for containingthe vendable articles, aQU-shaped wire lying flaton the bottom ol the magazine for normally supporting the articles above the delivery-opening, a slidable ejector provided'at its forward end with a transverse rod or wire adapted to cooperate with said U-shaped wire to permit the delivery of the articles when the ejector 16. Ina vending machine provided with a magazine for containing the vendable artielse, in combination a flat ejector adapted to slide over the bottom of said magazine, said bottom "having a slot, formed therein, a'slide movable beneath thevbottom of the maga zine, said ejector and said slide being substantially parallel to each. other, means for securing the said ejectorto said slide, said means including a block arranged to move in said slot, and means for operating said slide. r i V In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names, this 12th day ofDecember, 1911. ALBERT'D. GROVER.

, EARL E. BARBER. IVitnesses for both: I c

ELIZABETH T. RALEIGH, EDWARD J. RALEIGH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing'the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

